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Research: Survey report affordable housing and the NSW rental market 2014
Research: Survey report affordable housing and the NSW rental market 2014
Earlier this year the Tenants’ Union conducted a short online survey on Housing Affordability to gauge tenants' experiences and expectations of renting. 580 tenants responded. The most striking thing the survey shows is howworried tenants are - particularly in circumstances they cannot control or where choices are restricted. Most express satisfaction with their current housing, but it is a satisfaction formed in a tightly constrained space: they see few or no other options in the housing market (not in owner-occupation, or in rental), and they put up with problems and with lacklustre rates of responsiveness from landlords.
Some stand-out figures include:
- 57% of respondents identified the high cost of home ownership as a key reason for renting.
- 77% have put up with a problem because they were worried about adverse consequences if they asked to get it fixed.
- 79% have moved at least once in the last five years.
- Over 70% in the private market are paying more than a third of their income in rent.
- 64% of respondents said they worry about paying the rent.